Te Ara Paerangi – Future Pathways

Te Ara Paerangi – Future Pathways is a multi-year reform programme that is building a future-focused research, science, and innovation system that makes the most of the opportunities and challenges ahead for Aotearoa New Zealand.

Future pathways banner

Why the reforms are needed

A well-functioning research, science and innovation system is essential to the economic, social, health, environmental and cultural wellbeing of Aotearoa New Zealand.

Our research, science and innovation system has worked well for the past 3 decades, delivering world-leading science, insights and innovations. But the sector has told us that major changes are needed if New Zealand’s system is to stand alongside the best in the world.

The sector has called for a research, science and innovation system that is adaptable and resilient to a rapidly changing future, and far more connected – to itself, to Te Tiriti, to industry, to funding opportunities, to users of research, and to the world.


White Paper: Vision and roadmap

Te Ara Paerangi – Future Pathways White Paper outlines the key actions and directions MBIE is taking to deliver the research, science and innovation system reforms over the next few years. It was released in December 2022 following consultation on Te Ara Paerangi – Future Pathways Green Paper between October 2021 and March 2022.

Read the White Paper on our website or download a PDF version. There is also a summary of the White Paper and details on the Green Paper consultation.

Read the White Paper

Read the White Paper summary

Download the PDF version of the White Paper [PDF, 4.5 MB]

Download the PDF version of the White Paper summary [PDF, 873 KB]

Green Paper and consultation


Reform initiatives

Te Ara Paerangi – Future Pathways will be implemented and embedded over several years to achieve the 4 reform objectives:

  • Creating new futures
  • Valuing our people
  • Embedding Te Tiriti o Waitangi
  • Building system agility.

As we develop proposals for specific reform initiatives, we’ll be engaging with the sector, working with our cross-government colleagues and external Reference Group and drawing from the wealth of ideas we heard through the Green Paper consultation.

Find out more about the reform initiatives underway.

Establishing National Research Priorities

Embedding Te Tiriti o Waitangi

Valuing our people

Horizon Europe association

Wellington Science City

External reference group


Information videos

MBIE has held 2 rounds of online information sessions to discuss the reform progress and process and answer questions from participants. The latest information session was recorded on August 9, 2023, and includes updates on National Research Priorities, embedding Te Tiriti o Waitangi, Wellington Science City and initiatives to build and support the workforce.

Watch information videos


Newsletter and updates

Check out Te Ara Paerangi – Future Pathways newsletters and join our mailing list for the latest updates.

Latest newsletter

September 2023(external link)

Previous newsletters

July 2023(external link)

May 2023(external link)

March 2023(external link)

Subscribe to email updates here(external link)

Get in touch

Email us any time at:

futurepathways@mbie.govt.nz

Last updated: 26 September 2023